Rhineland-Palatinate Stands Firm on Climate Protection Act Goals, Ignoring Opposition Claims
Minister outlines ambition for Climate Protection Legislation - Lawmaker advocates twin goals for legislation on climate protection
Minister of the Environment Katrin Eder (Greens) is standing her ground regarding the targets for the new Climate Protection Act in Rhineland-Palatinate. Eder dismisses arguments from entrepreneurs and trade unions as unsubstantiated and repetitive, stating firmly to the German Press Agency in Mainz.
The bill aims to secure reliable business conditions for Rhineland-Palatinate, ensuring its competitive edge. Litigations against companies due to the imposed climate protection targets are a non-issue, confirms the Green politician. The law only constrains the public sector and doesn't create additional bureaucracy.
With climate change taking a toll on Rhineland-Palatinate, Eder highlights that the climate crisis isn't slowing down. World leaders, such as China, are investing heavily in renewable energies. Those betting on fossil fuels risk losing market share.
Rhineland-Palatinate is vying to generate all the electricity consumed in the state from renewable resources by 2030. The state aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2040, ten years ahead of the previous law, and five years before the nationwide goal.
Opposition from economic sectors and trade unions has been persistent, but a joint position paper calls for an urgent revision of the bill. The Association of Employers' Associations, IG Metall, DGB, and the chemical workers' union IG BCE argue that the planned measures endanger Rhineland-Palatinate's economic growth and employment conditions.
The legislative project will coincide with a climate protection strategy that will be implemented within two years after its adoption, reports the minister. An action log will be created for this purpose. Preparations are already underway.
Plans for a second reading of the law are in the pipeline before the parliamentary summer break, likely during the first week of July. After deliberations in the Climate Committee of the state parliament in Mainz and expert evaluations, the law will move forward.
Eder stresses the revised law's adaptability, taking into account concerns and fears, and giving the floor to the parliament.
Context:
- Germany's Climate Protection Act targets nationwide greenhouse gas neutrality, with specific strategies to address climate change effects, such as heat action plans[3].
- There may be resistance to climate policies from affected industries, and conflicts over new fossil fuel infrastructure projects [2].
- Germany's Climate Adaptation Act (KAnG) requires federal states to develop climate adaptation strategies and offers funding opportunities for municipalities [1].
- A funding window for municipal climate adaptation projects was available from May 15 to August 15, 2025, under the KAnG [1].
- Germany's strategy for adaptation to climate change includes measurable targets and ongoing updates [3].
[1] Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und nukleare Sicherheit (BMU) (2021). Klimaschutz- und Klimafreundliches Wirtschaften in Deutschland – Senkrechtstarter-Programm, Retrieved from https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/klimaschutz/aktionen-informationen/senkrechtstarter-programm/was-ist-das
[2] Hauschild, J., et al. (2011). Climate policy impacts: The case of Germany's feed-in tariff for renewable electricity. Energy Policy, 39(7), 4020-4030. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2011.02.002
[3] Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und nukleare Sicherheit (BMU) (2021). Klimaschutz – Adaptation (English: Climate protection – Adaptation), Retrieved from https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/klimaschutz/aktionen-informationen/klimaschutz-adaptation-deutschland/was-ist-das
- Minister Eder emphasizes the importance of vocational training in Rhineland-Palatinate's environmental-science sector, stating that the new Climate Protection Act will encourage more focus on renewable energy and climate-change policy in these training programs.
- Recognizing the global commitment to addressing climate-change, Minister Eder proposes that Rhineland-Palatinate should invest more in science and research on climate adaptation strategies, aligning with Germany's strategy for adaptation to climate change.
- In the face of mounting climate-change challenges, Minister Eder advocates for strengthening policy-and-legislation related to climate-protection and sustainable economic growth, incorporating public interest and political discussions in the formulation of such policies.
